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Reports from African Championships 2015

Social Media on the increase from the African Championships
By: Kwok Ng 29th July 2015

Throughout the championships, monitoring tweets has seen a staggering 141 twitter posts and 90 retweets (Between start of tournament until a few hours after the Finals). There has been quite a bit of interest in this through twitter. coverage on Facebook has not been included in this analysis. One area for improvement is to define the difference between men and women match scores. Due to the lag in twitter from the real time events, when the men’s Final match took place between Egypt and Rwanda, there were still tweets about the Women’s Final match which also took place between Rwanda and Egypt. As a result, it could have been a bit confusing for people to follow through twitter. None the less, media coverage has certainly become broader from these Championships. Snippets from the media can be found below (If there are any mistakes, feel free to contact and provide details).

Rwanda and Egypt qualify for Rio 2016By: Kwok Ng

Firstly Rwanda were taken all the way by Egypt in a thrilling 5 set match in the Finals of the Paravolley African Championships 2015, then the Egyptian men prevailed against the hosts Rwanda in straight sets.

Champions off to Rio

A milestone for the team supported by CBM that conquered the podium after months of tough training! The Rwandan women’s sitting team have emerged as the African sitting volleyball champions, thereby qualifying for the 2016 Paralympics Games in Rio.

Competitions took place at the Petit Stade in Kigali, from 23 to 28 July 2015.

Sitting volleyball is played by people with motor disabilities. Athletes play sitting and they need to keep contact with the ground during the whole game. This sport is one of the most dynamic in the Paralympic program.

Through sport activities, Rwanda and all the African States can achieve social growth, raising awareness about important issues like inclusion and gender in the entire society.

CBM has been supporting the Rwandan women’s team composed of 25 women with disabilities in its preparation towards the Paralympics.

With this project we aim to bring attention to sport as a tool for empowerment and inclusion of people with disabilities, sensitizing public opinion at the national and local level; and to increase participation of people with disabilities in sport activities in Rwanda.

Kigali The Algerian national team paravolley (wheelchair) took the 3rd place (bronze medal), the African championships (men and women), closed Tuesday in Kigali, Rwanda, beating Kenya 3-0 at classification match.

The six Algerian won the first and the second set (25-13 and 25-22), before getting up in the third, easily lost (25-27). Protected two national coaches and Abdelkader El Hadj Kefif Bensouna be rallied during the 4th set, won (25-23) sealing the match in three sets to zero.

With the win, the third in the tournament (July 23-28) which brought together six selections, the Algerian team took revenge on their opponents (Kenya) who had surprised in the second day of the tournament played in mini -championnat (single pool).

For its part, Egypt, winning all his matches in the first round 3-0, confirmed his supremacy by winning the final against the host nation, Rwanda (3-0). The ‘Pharaohs’ for the occasion validated their ticket to the next Paralympic Games in Rio-2016.

The 5th place in the tournament went to the team of Burundi with its success against DR Congo 3-0 (25-9, 25-23 and 25-22).

Before leaving for Kigali, the Kefif coach had indicated that the Algerian team will try to improve the 3rd place finish at the last edition of the African championship played last year in Morocco (participation of four teams: Morocco, Africa South, Kenya and Algeria).

According to the echoes coming from Kigali, arbitration has distorted some games, the first of Algeria against Kenya lost 2-3 by the six Algerian.

The result obtained in Kigali by the Greens helped, certainly, technical managers of wheelchair Algerian federation (FAH) to gauge the capabilities of its selection at the continental level.

“Initially, we had referred the second position, and that, after an analysis of the previous championship, but it was not counting on surprise called” Rwanda “and other parameters that we did not take into account whose altitude (1800m), poor adaptation of our abled. That said, one does not have to be ashamed of this 3rd place that gives us hope for the future of our paravolley “explained technical director national (DTN), Zoubir Aichaine.

The same official assured that the result of Kigali open “new horizons” on paravolley discipline in Algeria, saying, however, that building a strong national team, capable of further improvement going on, “inevitably, by raising the level of our national championship, and its accompaniments (training of coaches, referees, classifiers and even joueurs..etc) “.

“You have to work at the grassroots level, to properly supervise the clubs structure at the base, increase the number of licensed practitioners,” he concluded.

Women’s team qualify for 2016 Paralympic Games
By: Peter Kamasa on Rwanda’s New Times 29th July 2015

Rwanda women’s sitting volleyball team celebrates after historic qualification to the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games in Brazil. (Sam Ngendahimana)

Rwanda women’s sitting volleyball team has qualified for the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games in Brazil after defeating Egypt 3-2 in the Paravolley Africa sitting volleyball championship final at Amahoro Indoor Stadium last night.

In the match that lasted two hours and half, Rwanda lost the opening set 26-24 but Peter Karreman’s side fought back and won the second set 25-15.

It was Egypt that won the third set 25-23 before Rwanda secured the fourth set 26-24 before winning the decisive set 15-13.

Captain Lillian Mukobwankabo hailed her side for the comeback which helped them to win the game. “The girls gave their best to win the game. I am happy for the good work they have done.”

She added “We are happy for this ticket. It is a pleasure for the country, for us and supporters because we have been working for this. The match was very tough for us but we managed to retain our winning spirit. This is amazing.”

“We played against Egypt for the warm up matches and they beat us but today we were determined to win. We are happy for our supporters because they gave their best,” she noted.

Mukobwankabo thanked the President for giving the people with disabilities the right which was not there before. “We are pleased with President Paul Kagame, who has recognized us and given us the right to enjoy because before we were not recognized. We need many to join us and play this game.”

Karreman said, “It is happiness and joy for us. We cannot explain. It is the first time for Africa to compete at this level and Rwanda qualified first so I am happy to be a coach of this beautiful country.”

Rwanda lost to Egypt 3-0 (25-23, 25-20, 25-13) in the men’s category.

The Paravolley Africa sitting Volleyball Championship started on July 22 at Petit Stade in Remera, Kigali and is a qualifier for the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games in Brazil.

Rwanda secure place at Rio 2016 after success at ParaVolley Africa Sitting Volleyball ChampionshipsBy: Daniel Etchells on Inside the Games 28th July 2015

Hosts Rwanda beat Egypt to claim the women’s title at the ParaVolley Africa Sitting Volleyball Championships in Kigali and secure their place at Rio 2016.

In a closely-fought encounter, Egypt let a 2-1 lead slip as Rwanda came from behind to win 3-2 and book their ticket to Brazil for next year’s Paralympic Games.

“We are happy for this ticket,” Rwanda captain Lillian Mukobwankabo told the Rwanda New Times.

“It is a pleasure for the country, for us and supporters because we have been working for this.

“The match was very tough for us but we managed to retain our winning spirit.

“This is amazing.”

The bronze medal went to Kenya thanks to a straight-sets victory against the Democratic Republic of Congo, while Burundi claimed fifth spot with a 3-1 win against Uganda.

Rwanda were unable to match their success in the men’s final, losing out to Egypt who ensured Rio 2016 qualification without dropping a set throughout the competition.

Algeria took the bronze medal with a 3-1 victory against Kenya, while Burundi beat the Democratic Republic of Congo in straight sets to equal the fifth-place finish of their women’s team.

Egypt made it five wins out of five in the men’s ParaVolley Africa Sitting Volleyball Championships in Kigali to seal top spot in the round-robin stage.

A 3-0 victory against Kenya maintained their record of not dropping a set throughout the competition and they will now go on to face hosts Rwanda in tomorrow’s gold medal match.

Rwanda overcame the Democratic Republic of Congo in straight sets to take advantage of Kenya’s defeat and secure second spot with four wins out of five.

In the other men’s encounter, Algeria beat Burundi 3-0 to ensure fourth place and a bronze medal match against Kenya.

In the women’s compeitition, Rwanda, Kenya and Egypt all won in straight sets against the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda and Burundi respectively to finish level on four wins out of five.

Kenya’s inferior sets quotient of eight means they have to settle for a bronze medal encounter with fourth-placed Democratic Republic of Congo, while top-ranked Rwanda and runners-up Egypt will battle for gold.

The two fifth-place play-offs see Burundi face the Democratic Republic of Congo in the men’s competition, while Uganda provide Burundi’s opposition in the women’s tournament.

The Championships in Rwanda’s capital act as a qualifier for next year’s Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.

The winner of the men’s and women’s tournaments will earn tickets to Brazil.

Besides Algeria, the Kigali meeting qualifying the African champions in the Paralympic Games in Rio-2016 is played in mini-league and was attended by five other nations: Egypt, Kenya, DR Congo, Burundi and Rwanda (host country).

After five days played, Egypt is leading with a flawless, followed by the host country, Rwanda (with 4 wins and losses) and Kenya (three wins and two losses). Algeria has in 4th position with two wins and three losses, before Burundi (one win and four defeats) and DR Congo, which brings up the rear with five defeats in as many games.

Rwanda women’s sitting volleyball team thrashed African giants Egypt 3-1 (25-22, 25-23, 19-25 and 26-26) to get closer to the final of the Paravolley Africa sitting volleyball championship set for tomorrow evening.

They will need to defeat Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) this morning to seal a place in the final.

Rwanda head coach Peter Karreman hailed his players for their effort and said, “They gave their best and we have got the results we are happy and we are looking forward to win next games we have.”

In the men’s category, Rwanda beat Kenya 3-0 (25-20, 25-14, 25-17) and need to win their last game against DRC today to reach the final tomorrow against the winner between Kenya and Egypt.

Egypt has not lost any single game while Rwanda lost to Egypt 3-0 on Saturday. “We lost against a strong team but we recovered and won again against a very good Kenyan side. We are going to focus on our last game because we want to reach on final.”

Rwanda men’s sitting volleyball team will face African giants Egypt this afternoon in their third game at the ongoing Paravolley Africa sitting volleyball championship at Amahoro Indoor Stadium.

Rwanda needs to win this game to maintain their hopes of qualifying for the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games in Brazil.

According to head coach Eric Gakwaya, the team is hoping to win against Egypt for the first time, “We want to write history. We know it will be tough but we are ready to give everything for this game.”

“We are facing a big team in Africa but we are ready for the challenge ahead. We know it will be hard to beat them but that is our ambition this year. We have never beaten them before but we will give everything to win the game,”the former National University of Rwanda right attacker added.

“We still have a long way to go, but we have started well which is good for us. We are happy with Thursday’s result (defeating Algeria).”

Rwanda women and men sitting volleyball national teams started well after defeating Burundi and Algeria 3-0 respectively in their opening match of the ongoing Paravolley Africa sitting championship on Wednesday.

“We are aware of the challenge ahead and we know Egypt are strong. However, we have been preparing well and we are going to try our best with all our efforts in this game. We want to qualify for the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games,” Gakwaya noted.

Rwanda men’s sitting volleyball national team defeated Algeria 3-0 in their opening match of the ongoing Paravolley Africa sitting championship at Amahoro Indoor Stadium last evening.

Rwanda dominated the game to win in straight sets 25-22, 25-16 and 25-22. Head coach Eric Gakwaya said, “It was tough but thank God we won the opening game.”

“We will continue to take the momentum from one match to another. We still have a long way to go, but we have started well which is good for us,” said the former National University of Rwanda right attacker.

Kenya women’s sitting volleyball team also won their opening game against Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) 3-0 (25-12, 25-10 and 25-8). The Kenyan men’s side was too powerful for DRC and thrashed them 3-0 (25-6, 25-20, 25-17).

In the other games, Egypt beat Uganda 3-0 (25-8, 25-8 and 25-10) in the women’s category while the Egyptian men’s side humiliated Burundi 3-0 winning 25-4, 25-4, 25-5.

The Paravolley Africa sitting Volleyball Championship commenced on Wednesday at Petit Stade in Remera, Kigali and is a qualifier for the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games in Brazil. The tournament that ends on July 28 will see the winners earn the single ticket.

Hosts Rwanda among countries with 100 per cent records at ParaVolley Africa Sitting Volleyball Championships
By: Daniel Etchells on Inside the Games 24th July 2015

Egypt, Kenya and hosts Rwanda maintained their 100 per cent records on day two of the men’s ParaVolley Africa Sitting Volleyball Championships in Kigali.

Having all won their opening matches yesterday, Egypt beat the Democratic Republic of Congo 3-0 before Kenya overcame Algeria 3-2 and Rwanda cruised to a straight-sets win against Burundi.

Kenya will have the chance to extend their unbeaten run tomorrow when they face Burundi, but something will have to give as Egypt meet Rwanda.

Sandwiched between the two encounters is the Democratic Republic of Congo’s clash with Algeria with both teams vying to put their first points on the board.

Meanwhile on the women’s side, Rwanda and Egypt both made it two wins out of two at the expense of Uganda and Kenya respectively, while the Democratic Republic of Congo bounced back from yesterday’s defeat to Kenya to beat Burundi 3-1.

Egypt go up against the Democratic Republic of Congo tomorrow before Uganda play Burundi and Kenya pit themselves against Rwanda.

The Championships act as a qualifier for next year’s Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.

The winner of the men’s and women’s tournaments, due to end on Tuesday (July 28), will earn tickets to Brazil.

Egypt, Kenya and hosts Rwanda all made winning starts to both the men’s and women’s ParaVolley Africa Sitting Volleyball Championships in Kigali.

There were 3-0 victories on the men’s side for Egypt and Kenya against Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo respectively, while the home country replicated the same scoreline against Algeria.

“It was tough but thank God we won the opening game,” Rwanda head coach Eric Gakwaya told The New Times.

“We will continue to take the momentum from one match to another.

“We still have a long way to go, but we have started well which is good for us.”

As for the women, Rwanda beat Burundi 3-0 to mirror the margin of defeat inflicted on Uganda by Egypt and the Democratic Republic of Congo by Kenya.

The Championships act as a qualifier for next year’s Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.

The winner of the men’s and women’s tournaments, due to end on Tuesday (July 28), will earn tickets to Brazil.

Action in Rwanda’s capital continues tomorrow with three more matches in the men’s and women’s competitions.

The men’s fixtures see Rwanda face Burundi, while Egypt meet the Democratic Republic of Congo and Kenya take on Algeria.

Burundi’s women are pitted against the Democratic Republic of Congo before Kenya square off against Egypt and Rwanda test themselves against Uganda.

Rwanda: Sitting Volleyball Team Start Hunt for Rio 2016 Slot Today
By Peter Kamasa on Rwanda’s New Times 23rd July 2015

Today Fixtures

Kenya vs DRC (women, 9:00am)

Egypt vs Burundi (men, 10:30am)

Kenya vs DRC (men, 12:00am)

Uganda vs Egypt (women, 1:30pm)

Rwanda vs Algeria (men, 6pm)

Burundi vs Rwanda (women, 7:30pm)

Rwanda national sitting volleyball team is aiming to win the Paravolley Africa sitting volleyball championship starting today at Petit Stade in Remera, Kigali in order to qualify for the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games. The tournament will end on July 28.

Former National Paralympic Committee president Dominic Bizimana said that Rwanda will be looking to defeat strong countries like Egypt, Algeria, Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya and Uganda.

“It is a big tournament but our level has gone up. We will challenge the top teams like Algeria and Egypt. We will make sure that we play with our maximum energy to win this title,” said Bizimana who is a player on the team.

The preparations for the Rwanda team started in 2008, before playing in the 2010 World Cup and London 2012 Olympic Games. Bizimana believes the experience they got will help them to earn the ticket.

Only one team will book a place in the women and men’s categories.

“We have been doing well. We will make sure that we beat them. We will use home advantage and support of our fans to get good results.”

“The team is ready and we will do our best to win the title and qualify for the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games. It is a dream to play in such a competition and we believe we can make it happen,” he noted. Rwanda will start their campaign with a tricky fixture against Algeria in the men’s category while the women’s team will play against Burundi in the evening.

Earlier in the day, Kenya will meet the Democratic Republic of Congo while Egypt will play against Burundi in the women’s category.

Rwanda to host Burundi in friendly matches
By Richard Bishumba on Rwanda’s New Times 25th June 2015

Burundi national sitting volleyball teams (men and women) are expected in Kigali on Friday to play a couple of friendly matches against their Rwanda counterparts on Saturday and Sunday.

The two teams will play four games-two in each category (men and women) at the NPC Gymnasium in Amahoro stadium.

The local National Paralympics Committee (NPC) said the friendly matches are part of Rwanda’s preparations ahead of the forthcoming 2015 Para volley Africa Sitting Volleyball Championships slated for July 23-29 in Kigali.

The week-long continental tournament will also serve as qualifiers for the 2016 Summer Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Africa has been offered only two slots (one for men and one for in women) at the Rio Paralympics but NPC president Celestin Nzeyimana is confident Rwandan will grab both tickets.

“We are aware of the challenge ahead; we know the North African countries are strong, but we have been preparing and are going to double our efforts in the next one month so that we can see both teams in Rio Games,” Nzeyimana said in an interview with Times Sport.

At the 2012 London Paralympic Games, Rwanda represented Africa alongside Morocco, becoming the first sub-Saharan nation to compete at the multi-sport event.

According to national men’s team head coach, Jean Marie Nsengiyumva, hosting the competition has several advantages for Rwanda.

“It is definitely going to be a tough tournament but we are prepared and we hope that playing at home will give us an advantage.”

Since the introduction of women’s sitting volleyball in Athens Games in 2004, Africa will be represented for the first time in Rio. So far, only Rwanda, Kenya and Egypt have confirmed participation in the qualifiers.

In the men’s category; Morocco, Egypt, Algeria, Kenya and hosts Rwanda have confirmed participation while Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Uganda are yet to confirm.

Rwanda will be looking to qualify for the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games in both the men and women’s sitting volleyball categories when the 2015 Paravolley Africa Sitting Volleyball Championships are hosted in Kigali from July 23-29 at NPC gymnasium at Amahoro stadium.

Rwanda represented Africa alongside Morocco at the London 2012 Paralympic Games, becoming the first sub-Saharan country to compete at the prestigious stage which had since its inception in 1976 been dominated by North African countries.

However, a change in the quota system by the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) has seen the world body hand Africa one slot in each of the gender categories, a feat that means Rwanda has to overcome Maghreb giants Morocco and Egypt to claim the only available slot.

“We are aware of the challenge ahead and we know the North African countries are strong. However, we have been preparing really well and are going to double our efforts in the next one month to make sure we qualify for the Rio 2016,” explained Celestin Nzeyimana, National Paralympic Committee (NPC) of Rwanda president.

Rwanda came from a set down to defeat Morocco 3-1 (20-25, 27-25, 25-22, 25-23) in the classification game to finish ninth overall with the North Africans settling for 10th position.

That result did not go down well with the Arabs who have since promised to avenge the loss and next month’s competition has presented the right opportunity.

Rwanda’s head coach Jean Marie Nsengiyumva told Times Sport that, “It is definitely going to be a tough tournament but we are preparing for the challenge ahead and we hope that playing at home will give us an advantage.”

Debutants Algeria and Kenya too have confirmed participation while Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Uganda are yet to confirm participation following financial constraints as each participant is required to pay €750 to cater for accommodation, food and transport for the 10 days they will be in Rwanda.

For the first time since the introduction of the women’s category at the Paralympic Games in 2004 in Athens, Greece, Africa will be represented at the Summer Games. Rwanda, Egypt and Kenya have confirmed participation while Burundi, Uganda and DRC are facing financial constraints.

The international rules state that for a competition to take place, four countries must compete.

Nzeyimana revealed that they are trying to get to an agreement with the African Paralympic Committee to find a solution for instance finding cheaper accommodation for the countries that are yet to confirm.

Rwanda, Uganda set for Sitting Volleyball friendly matches
By Richard Bishumba on Rwanda’s New Times 10th June 2015

Rwanda national sitting volleyball teams (men and women) will be hosting their counterparts from Uganda for friendly matches due June 13-14 at the NPC gymnasium at Amahoro Stadium.

Four matches over two days, two in men’s and two in the women’s category will be played and Rwanda intend to use the platform as part of the intensified preparations ahead of the forthcoming Africa Sitting Volleyball Championships slated for July 19-29 at Green Hills Academy, Kigali.

According to the National Paralympic Committee (NPC) secretary general Eric Karasira, the two-day event is in remembrance of the people who died during the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.

Since February this year, both teams have been in residential camps for intensified training so that they can both qualify for the 2016 Summer Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

At next month’s 10-day African Championships, 16 national teams, eight men’s and eight women’s will be tussling it out for a single ticket available for each of the two categories. At the 2016 Paralympic Games, Africa is offered a slot in each category – men and women.

The National men’s sitting volleyball team qualified for the 2012 Paralympic Games in London and since 2013, NPC’s major target was sending both men and women’s teams to the Rio Games.

Meanwhile, the national women’s team coach, Dutch technician Peter Karemann is conducting a coaching clinic for 12 local sitting volleyball coaches. The seminar started on June 7 and will run through to June 11.

The National Sitting women volleyball team (yellow) play Kenya in a previous Zone 5 paravolleyball event in Nairobi. Rwanda wants to send both the men and women teams to paralympics. (Courtesy)

Rwanda has been endorsed to host this year’s Africa Sitting Volleyball Championships scheduled for July 19-29 in Kigali. The National Paralympic Committee (NPC), president Celestin Nzeyimana has said.

The ten-day continental meet will also serve as qualifiers for the 2016 Summer Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Sixteen national teams, eight men’s and eight women’s respectively will be vying for a single ticket available for each of the two categories.

“It’s official now; we will be hosting the Africa Sitting Volleyball Championships in July. Our target is claiming both qualification tickets in men and women’s categories, it is a tough call as we will be facing Africa’s giants, and that’s why we have started early preps,” NPC technical Director Eric Karasira said.

He also said that although Rwanda is hosting the Africa Sitting Volleyball Championships for the first time, he expects home advantage to provide extra motivation to the national teams.

Since February this year, both men and women teams have been undergoing residential boot camp for intensified training and Karasira believes hard work will pay off.

In the meantime, the ongoing national sitball championships will go into semi-finals this weekend, all semi-final matches in men and women’s leagues take place in Rubavu district on Saturday and Sunday respectively.

The National men’s sitting volleyball team qualified for the 2012 Paralympic Games in London and since 2013, NPC’s major target was sending both men and women’s team to the Rio Games.